Tricks that old racers get up to after retirement

[2us70]

The computers you need to communicate with modern cars are expensive enough. The real killer is the cost of updates. In some cases the updates rival the cost of the original scanner.

[powerabout]

I do like the outboard and sterndrive business as those products have been getting better over the years in all areas.
( less emissions and the controls as the Gov mandates they cant be fiddled with except by the dealer)

[jackiewilson]

Didn't we have a ball today---------see what happens when we talk to each other-------it gets like a box of chocolates
Dont you just love Fuji's answer to the glove box catch------why show just one catch when you can show a dozen alternates. Way to go Fujimo!

[jackiewilson]

Purple poorlie Paw is receding in size-----unfortunately the ache is not. Thought I'd give the pain killers a miss last night-----another mistaken...,, finally took one a little after three this morning, slept until seven, something I never do .
Yesterday being Thursday I went to the car boot sale------two hours later I walked through the exit without spending a brass farthing, got away with it , didn't buy any of those things that I didnt need but bought anyway.
Then this old chap who I vaguely knew walks past me hauling a hand held flatbed piled high with two grass cutters , three Honda engines,a compressor, and perched on top was a seven foot garden seat, beautifully constructed out of square alloy--------we started talking about the weather-------but he's a canny old bastard and he cut straight to the chase, "you want to buy it , make me an offer""------ buyer and seller I cannot be says I , how much you hoping for--------so it went on -------we settled at £15 provided he lifted the thing on top of the trusty Lexus so all I had to do was tie it down. I earned many brownie points from "Capadility Jill" with that one!
Meeting my sister Ange for lunch at the Chichester Yacht Club-------tell you about it later!

[jackiewilson]

To my very good friend John Schubert------I just packed the latest twin Rude tunnel for you know who!
Afraid you got a bit more work than usual------- hands not working properly so was unable to do any gearcases------been advised to stop work for six weeks.
Looks like this will be the last concept for some time, sorry 'bout your bad lick John------some days you eat bear???

[jackiewilson]

Getting to live the high life these days ----- lunch at the Yacht Club, with my sister Ange and Jilly, rare treat that used to be, nowadays it's a regular occurrence-------must be going up in the world.
I feel up to a trip to the scrapyard in the morning----first time in a month, quite looking forward to it, no telling what sort of treasures are waiting to be discovered.
Spentte morning packing all the finished concepts for shipment to the USA.

[jackiewilson]

Bedtime-------not tired, should call it "Thinktime" ----------need to find the on and off switch-----am definately not ready for pasture land just yet. What the hell am I going to do for six weeks ?
Threatened to do memoirs about friends and associates------if I want to make old bones, twould be better for my health if I forgot that !
Ive always believed that you get one shot to do something great in your life------I'm still waiting, looking, hoping, wondering-------then it hit me------maybe I've already been down that road and had my head so far up my arse I never noticed.
Seeing how I've never met anyone------or even heard of anyone I would be willing to trade places with, could it be that I'm satisfied with my life, just as is, and the moment came and went without me noticing .
Very Interesting, as the little sh-t on Rowen and Martin used to say.
Be interesting to hear some of your thoughts here!

[Rotary John]

Jackie: We all wonder at times what impact did my life have on the world. Some of us did great things, others spawned great kids, yet others are still wondering what difference did I make. I guess all of the above applies to all of us. I for one am glad I have had the experiences I have had and regret some I didn't, but you know what; I wake up in the morning and thank the good Lord for another day. Chin up my English friend. You woke up this morning.

[jackiewilson]

Johnno my friend------even I know you had a great impact on what happened during my life------whilst I tend to "extract the urine" , I can't deny what a great impact the Rotory had on the outboard world! Mercury had a look, was tempted, but in the end, "passed"------OMC actually "did"------
Thats it, that's all your getting-----they don't call you ROTORY JOHN SHELDON for nothing-------
True, I do keep on waking up each and every morning------but it does beg the question WHY .
Allways reminds me of the poor milkman Tevres from "Fiddler on the roof" wishing his life away( if I was a rich man))-------
Never once in my life have I bought a lottery ticket-------yet I have come across people who spend all the money they don't have on just a faint hope.
I still like to think I can wring the last ounce out of every day!
Surprised the Pilgrim didn't come up with a few comments.
Have to go------Recycling Facility beckons !

[jackiewilson]

Like I always do once I get to the scrapyard, i fall into the "That might come in handy one day" mode------picked out £20 worth of "bits and bobs", nothing specific just odd shaped pieces that might make a stand for a concept--------will never understand why I do it. Nature of the beast I suppose.
Sam and Clive are on the way to SanFrancisco to attend my grandson George's wedding later this month. No, I won't be going------round the clock flights do not thrill me any more!
May take a wander into the shop later-------boredom, and a need to make sure the South Bend don't go rusty may have something to do with it.
Just bought another five band saw blades, was down to the last three-------done a shed full of metal cutting lately and dull blades are a serious risk to health. Again , the damn things fall into that throw away section ---------Starrets , or Morse blades come out at around £8 apiece --------it costs £7:50 to resharpen a blade------- why would I bother .?

[powerabout]

after WWII the west had the best years mankind will ever see
I see the people retiring 10 years older then me and think nobody will ever be able to re-live their lives
From horse and cart to flying to man on the moon to mobile phones
outboards from 30 to over 300hp
etc

[jackiewilson]

after WWII the west had the best years mankind will ever see
I see the people retiring 10 years older then me and think nobody will ever be able to re-live their lives
From horse and cart to flying to man on the moon to mobile phones
outboards from 30 to over 300hp
etc

Pilgrim, we saw it all-------the greatest leap forward in the history of mankind---- encyclopaedia Brittanica gone forever to be relplaced by a lump of electronic genius that rules the lives of every one of us.
Just watched Venus curl up and die on the Centre court --------never seen such a one sided final.
Gone is the old guard-------no excuses------there are new kids on the block !

[powerabout]

Pilgrim, we saw it all-------the greatest leap forward in the history of mankind---- encyclopaedia Brittanica gone forever to be relplaced by a lump of electronic genius that rules the lives of every one of us.
Just watched Venus curl up and die on the Centre court --------never seen such a one sided final.
Gone is the old guard-------no excuses------there are new kids on the block !

although there are a few, a huge percentage of the "new kids on the block" cant do sh1t without an app on their phone.
the old can do , have a go, logical thinking but uneducated and un-skilled 3rd worldies are replacing lots of the "clever" university types around here for the above reasons as employers are finally coming to work out what we have all known for years.
When I was working in a bank in the UK 20 years ago, HR threw your cv in the bin for about 50% of UK universities.
Top uni's in the USA are about the only ones left anywhere in the world that dont need your money so dont need to be in the business of selling degrees.
Not to mention for 10 years they paid less money each year as they thought the graduates were getting dumber and dumber
http://www.bbc.com/news/education-32579823

[jackiewilson]

Never met a university person yet that could outthink me------none of them had the simple ability of common sense !

[Rotary John]

Never met a university person yet that could outthink me------none of them had the simple ability of common sense !

That's what's lacking; common sense. Schools don't teach students to THINK anymore.